When the heck did rats become pets?

My husband and I took our son through the local pet store, to show him all the animals he could potentially own when he got bigger, provided they didn't send Mom into an allergy induced asthma attack--ahem--when we came across this odd tank. Now, I stared at this creatures, and since I'm not up on what's considered cuddly these days, I swore they looked like rats. But, who the heck knew, maybe they were a new form of mutant gerbil or something? But, NOPE, the sign confirmed it...fancy rats. And next to that sign, was this sign, "Caution: they're nippy." Um, when the heck did rats become pets?

Now, I don't know about you, but on the planet that I live on, rats are something you pretty much want dead in your house. They're not exactly the pet you're supposed to bring home to Little Tommy, unless of course, Little Tommy is the name of your boa constrictor. (Ok. All you animal lovers, simmer down. The rat had it coming.) But honestly, anyone ever hear of the bubonic plague? There are plenty of pest control specialists that make quite a living making sure that rats aren't around people; or people's food; as a matter of fact, I'm pretty sure any department of health would condemn anything that had a rat living near a human.

Now, while I sat there stunned and announced, quite loudly my shock. This woman that worked there who was missing some teeth (God bless her), was kind enough, to let me know that she had a rat as a pet, and they were quite friendly. And there you have it. I'm glad she's not my neighbor.